The Economist has announced The Economist Play, a new lower-priced subscription tier that brings together The Economist's audio and video journalism, games and newsletters in one seamless experience. Play will be available as a regional pilot in Canada, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
The Economist Play includes:
- The Economist Insider: in-depth conversations with The Economist’s editors and global experts, aired twice a week and available on demand
- Premium podcasts: daily and weekly podcasts on world news, US politics, China, technology and more, plus special series like Scam Inc and Tocqueville Road Trip
- Essential daily analysis: daily audio briefings and short-form videos on the global stories that matter
- Subscriber-only newsletters: curated news, including daily and weekly topical newsletters
- Smart games: unlimited access to a range of crosswords, quizzes and puzzles
The publisher says the new subscription tier builds on the success of last year’s launch of The Economist Insider. Since its launch in October 2025, Insider has delivered video interviews with leaders like Binyamin Netanyahu, Mark Carney and Dario Amodei, alongside in-depth discussions between Economist journalists across geopolitics, defence, tech and economics.
Luke Bradley-Jones, president, The Economist, said: “With the launch of Insider last October, and now this pilot market launch of The Economist Play, we’re continuing to lift the curtain on our journalists, their world-class analysis, and the spirited debates we have on key global issues. Play will showcase the human intelligence that makes The Economist unique, delivering our independent, rigorous and fact-based journalism in the formats that are increasingly in demand.
“Our research shows a tremendous appetite for easily digestible news and trusted analysis that cuts through the information overload of this AI era. Play will bring new audiences to The Economist, strengthen our customer’s relationship with our journalists, and provide an accessible entry point for the next generation of ambitious, globally-minded audiences to discover our award-winning journalism.”
Existing Economist Podcasts+ subscribers in pilot markets will be upgraded to The Economist Play with no change in price at launch, the publisher continued. Subscribers to The Economist’s premium tier will continue to enjoy all of the benefits of Play at no additional cost.
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